And then there were seven ... Start-Up 2014 finalists selected to compete for $30,000 prize package

Thursday

May 1, 2014 at 3:15 AM

ROCHESTER — Contest organizers have selected seven New Hampshire business start-ups and would-be entrepreneurs to compete for a $30,000 prize package provided by Start-Up 2014, a competition supporting economic development in the Seacoast region.

The seven finalists will compete in the Start-Up 2014 Finals, a “Shark Tank”-style judging, on Thursday, May 8 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at 36 Industrial Way, Ten Rod Road Business Park. The public is invited to attend and cheer on the contestants.

Now in its second year, the event highlights the Seacoast region as a magnet for entrepreneurialism and innovation. This year, the field of contestants has been diverse.

“There is a lot of great talent out there and exciting ideas coming from some surprising sources,” said Mary Ellen Humphrey of the City of Rochester Office of Economic Development.

She noted that two of the finalists are college students and one is a high school student.

The program also has been successful in drawing attention to the area’s ever-growing innovative and creative pool of talent.

“This area has drawn some big name tech companies in recent years, and that has helped create fertile ground for new and fresh ideas,” said Jonathan Shapleigh of the Bank of New Hampshire, chair of the Start-Up 2014 organizing committee.

“I hope we have a great turnout for the finals. The crowd involvement is great and it is great to see how the public reacts to the contestants’ presentations,” said Shapleigh.

The public can register to attend the event at Eventbrite.com.

Start-Up 2014 is organized by the City of Rochester Office of Economic Development and the abi HUB based in Manchester. Bank of New Hampshire, which has offices throughout the Seacoast region, is the presenting sponsor. Other sponsors are SEDC, New Hampshire Community Loan Fund, Thompson Investment Casting, Devine Millimet, Albany International, Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, Tumbledown Farms, Riley Enterprises, Inc., Leone, McDonnell & Roberts, Profile Bank, MetroCast Channel 12, Dumont Property Group and HRS Technologies.

For more information, contact the Rochester Office of Economic Development, (603) 335-7522.